Electrolysis of ferrous chloride



Patented Apr. 1, 1930 UNITED STATES STANLEY ISAAd LEVY, 01' LONDON, ENGLAND ELEC'IBOLYSIB OF IEBBOUS CHLORIDE R Drawing. Application filed February 25, 1928, Serial No. 257,096, and in Great Britain February 10, 1928.

This invention has for its object the electrolysis of ferrous chloride in aqueous solution, in order to recover therefrom pure electrolytic iron and pure chlorine in one operation without excessive consumption of power.

In accordance with the present invention I employ a concentrated solution of ferrous chloride, which I maintain at a temperature of 90100 C. and I allow this solution to flow 10 throu h the electrolytic cell at such a rate that t e issuing spent liquor contains about 20 parts of ferrous chloride as F6012 per 100 parts by weight of liquor.

I use as the cathode a thin plate, mandrel or other suitable object, which may be stationary or may be rotated. As the anode I use a rod, plate or cylinder of carbon or other inert material, which I support in a concentrated solution of a suita le chloride,such

as sodium, calcium, magnesium or other similar chloride, contained in an anode compartment or chamber. 1

The partition between the anode and cathode solutions may be a cylinder or wall across the cell, and may be formed from poi-ousclay, preferabl unglazed, or other suitable porous materia WhlCh whilst opposing only a low resistance to the electric current, serves to prevent diffusion between the two solu- 3 tions. Such partitions may be formed by moulding from a good china clay paste, without addition of any soluble, fiuxl'ng or glazing material, drying slowly in known manner, and firing at a temperature of GOO-900 C.

For the electrolysis I employ a current of 10-25 amperes per square foot, at a ressure .of 2.3-3.0 volts. Under these conditions a uniform coherent de osit of iron'is obtained on the cathode wiiilst pure chlorine is 40 evolved at the anode. The anode compartment is enclosed in known manner, and provided with an exit pipe for chlorine at the top; the chlorine gas is passed through a condenser, so that water va our carried off with the chlorine is deposite The water so condensed may be returned to the anode compartment or chamber. The current efiiciency is 90100% estimated on both the chlorine and the iron deposited. Y

The spent liquor is used to dissolve further quantities of ferrous chloride to form a concentrated solution, so that a continuous circulation is maintained. The cell and circulating pipes are preferably enclosed to prevent atmospheric oxidation. I

I claim 1. A process for the recovery of electrolytic iron and chlorine from ferrous chloride, consisting in electrolyzing a concentrated solution of the ferrous chloride in an electrolytic cell having a cathode, on which the iron is deposited, and an anode of inert material, said anode surrounded by a concentrated solution of a chloride of a metal more electropositive than iron and collectingthe chlorine evolved at the anode.

2. A process for the recovery of electrolytic iron and chlorine from ferrous chloride, consisting in electrolyzing a concentrated solution of the ferrous chloride in an electrolytic cell using a current of 10 to 25 amperes per square foot and a pressure of 2.3 to 3.0 volts, a cathode adapted to receive a deposit of the iron, and an anode of inert material, said anode surrounded by a concentrated solution of a chloride of a met-a1 more electropositive than iron and collecting the chlorine evolved at the anode.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

,s ANLEY ISAAC LEVY. 

